Advanced English 9

Summer Reading Assignment

Students taking Advanced English 9 in the fall must read three books during the previous summer.

Book #1: for all Advanced English 9 students, is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. You will be given a

teacher-directed assessment of this book the second day of school. Please complete the To Kill a Mockingbird

study guide (pages 2-13 of this document) to prepare for this assessment.

Book #2: Choose any book from the list below and complete the summer reading worksheet assignment (pages

13-14 of this document). A printed copy of this assignment must be turned in to the teacher on the first day of

school.

Book #3: Choose another book from the list below. An in-class essay will be given on the third day of school

for this book.

Advanced English 9 book list (choose any two, as described above)

Nonfiction Selections:

Bad Boy: A Memoir Walter Dean Myers Autobiography, 2002

The Other Side of the River Alex Kotlowitz Racism, 1999

Neither Wolf nor Dog Kent Nerburn Native American, 2002

No Excuses Derrick Coleman Jr. Autobiography, 2015

Fiction Selections:

A Northern Light Jennifer Donnelly

Orphan Train Christina Baker Kline

Code Talker Joseph Bruchac

Foul Trouble John Feinstein

Maisie Dobbs Jacqueline Winspear

(Book 1)

To Kill a Mockingbird

Study Guide

Directions: Answer the questions below. You must answer the questions in complete sentences.

This novel was written by: ___________________________

Chapter 1

1. The setting of the story is in the town of ________ in the state of __________ during the

__________________________.

2. From what point of view is it told?

3. From whose point of view is it told?

4. Why might the author have chosen this point of view to most effectively tell this story?

5. Describe the town using details from the novel.

6. What are some hints, clues, or details that tell you the story is written as a flashback?

7. What is Dill’s real name?

8. Whose nephew is Dill?

9. What is Dill’s major fascination during his first summer in Maycomb?

10. From whom do the children get their information regarding Boo?

a. How reliable is their information?

b. What rumors circulate about Boo?

11. What does the sentence, “We looked at her in surprise, for Calpurnia rarely commented on the ways of white

people” tell you about Cal?

12. Find three examples to show that Jem has a strong influence on Scout.

Chapter 2

1. Describe five negative events which occur on Scout’s first day of school.

2. What information is revealed regarding Walter Cunningham?

3. What information is revealed regarding Burris Ewell?

Chapter 3

1. What does the reader learn about Atticus after the lunch incident from his treatment of Walter Cunningham?

2. What does the reader learn about Walter Cunningham during lunch at the Finchs?

3. What simple trick does Atticus tell Scout will enable her to get along with all kinds of people?

Chapter 4

1. What doesn’t Scout like about school?

2. This novel is a record of a little girl becoming aware of herself and her world; give an example of this.

3. Give four examples of how the children spend their summer.

4. What happened as a result of the game “roll the tire?”

5. What does Scout hear in the Radley’s home?

6. What effect does this have on Scout?

Chapter 5

1. Why does Scout start spending many evenings on Miss Maudie Atkinson’s porch?

2. Why does Scout refer to Miss Maudie as “Chameleon Lady?”

3. What gesture of Miss Maudie’s cemented her friendship with Scout?

4. What is Boo Radley’s real name?

5. What reasons does Atticus give for forbidding the Radley game?

Chapter 6

1. What is the destination of the casual walk suggested by Dill?

2. What is the supreme insult which Jem begins hurling at Scout?

3. Describe what occurs in the Radley’s back yard.

4. What excuse does Jem give about his missing pants?

5. What does the reaction of the neighbors to Jem’s excuse say about the neighbors?

6. What are Jem’s emotions after retrieving his pants?

7. Give one more example of Scout becoming aware of her world.

Chapter 7

1. What is Atticus’ significant advice at the beginning of Chapter 7?

2. What do Jem and Scout find in the tree?

3. Why are Jem and Scout unable to deliver their thank-you note to the person leaving things in the tree?

4. Why has Jem been crying?

Chapter 8

1. What unusual weather event occurs?

2. Why does Atticus suggest that Jem alter their snow creation?

3. What happens at Miss Maudie’s

4. What happens to scout while she is outside in the cold?

5. What is Scout’s reaction?

6. What does this action say about the person who helped Scout?

Chapter 9

1. What new aspect is added to the children’s lives?

2. Why is Atticus defending Tom Robinson?

3. Why does Scout back down from a fight with Cecil?

4. Using specific examples compare Uncle Jack and Atticus.

5. Describe Aunt Alexandra.

6. What mistake does Scout point out that Uncle Jack makes when reacting to her fight with Francis?

7. In Atticus’ conversation with Uncle Jack, find three points which were probably the most important for Scout to

overhear.

Chapter 10

1. As a father, how does Atticus compare to other fathers in the eyes of Jem and Scout?

2. According to Atticus, what is it a sin to do?

3. Who explains to Scout why this is a sin and what is her reason?

4. Who is Tim Johnson?

5. What does Atticus do that makes him a hero in the eyes of his children?

6. What do you think Miss Maudie means by her comment, “people in their right minds never take pride in their

talents?”

Chapter 11

1. Give three reasons why Jem and Scout hate Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose.

2. Scout thinks that her father is the “bravest man who ever lived” because he:

3. What does Jem do when he is angry with Mrs. Dubose?

4. What is his punishment?

5. Atticus tells Scout, “Before I can live with other folk, I’ve got to live with” whom? “The one thing that doesn’t abide

by majority rule is” what?

6. What is Atticus reason for asking Scout not to use derogatory language?

7. What is Atticus’ definition of courage?

8. How does Mrs. Dubose fit Atticus’ definition of courage?

Chapter 12

1. List three signs that Jem is growing up.

2. List two indications that Scout is growing up.

3. Describe the confrontation between Lula and Calpurnia.

4. What is meant by the term “linin?”

5. What is the charge against Tom Robinson?

6. Describe the difference between Calpurnia at church and Calpurnia at the Finch’s and describe how she justifies the

difference.

Chapter 13

1. Why has Aunt Alexandra come to stay with the Finch family?

2. What are Aunt Alexandra’s views on

a. Proper behavior for a lady

b. Heredity

c. Behavior of proud families

Chapter 14

1. What does Scout mean when she says, “he was now positively allergic to my presence when in public?”

2. What causes an argument between Atticus and Aunt Alexandra?

3. What was under Scout’s bed?

4. What does Scout mean when she says, “Jem broke the remaining code of our childhood?”

5. Why has Dill run away?

Chapter 15

1. Why has a group of men gathered on the Finch’s front lawn?

2. Where do Jem, Dill, and Scout go at 10:00 PM?

3. Why does the mob of angry men disperse?

4. Why do you think Atticus cries?

Chapter 16

1. What makes Scout cry?

2. What does this say about Scout?

3. What is special about this day?

4. What confuses Scout about the town’s attitude toward Atticus defending Tom Robinson?

Chapter 17

1. Give four details to prove Bob Ewell is a repulsive person.

2. What is Atticus attempting to prove during Bob Ewell’s testimony?

3. What does Jem mean when he exclaims at the end of Chapter 17, “we’ve got him?”

Chapter 18

1. Describe in detail the information revealed about Mayella’s home life.

2. What points does Atticus try to establish through Mayella’s testimony or lack thereof?

3. What surprises Jem and Scout when Tom Robinson stands in the courtroom for the first time?

4. Why does Mayella show such hatred toward Atticus when she is on the witness stand?

Chapter 19

1. What is the fatal mistake that Tom makes in his testimony and in his life?

2. Why does Dill begin to cry?

Chapter 20

1. What is Mr. Dolphus Raymond’s secret?

2. Why does he reveal it to Jem and Scout?

3. What do you think about Mr. Raymond’s choice to keep his secret?

4. What do courts accomplish according to Atticus?

Chapter 21

1. Why does Calpurnia suddenly appear in the courtroom?

2. Describe the verdict and the reactions of Jem and Scout to it.

3. What do all the African-Americans do as Atticus leaves the courtroom and why?

Chapter 22

1. How does Atticus justify allowing Jem and Scout to remain at the courthouse for the entire trial?

2. What does Miss Maudie mean when she says, “And I thought to myself, well we’re making a step… it’s just a

baby step, but it’s a step?”

3. What event closes Chapter 22?

Chapter 23

1. What does Bob Ewell do to retaliate against Atticus?

2. What does Atticus do in response?

3. Why is Tom Robinson found guilty?

Chapter 24

1. What social event takes place at the Finch home?

2. Explain the hypocrisy in Mrs. Merriweather’s attitude toward the Mrunas compared to her attitude toward the

African-Americans in Maycomb.

3. What disturbing news does Atticus bring to the home?

4. Why was Atticus still hopeful about the Tom Robinson case?

5. What is one more example that Scout is growing up?

Chapter 25

1. Since Mr. Underwood does not like Blacks, his editorial is unusual because it criticizes Tom Robinson’s death. To

what does Mr. Underwood compare Tom’s death and why is the comparison accurate?

Chapter 26

1. Give three examples of changes in Scout’s life that indicate she is growing up.

2. What does Scout’s teacher say about persecuting others?

3. Why does this confuse Scout?

Chapter 27

1. What does WPA stand for?

2. What is Bob Ewell’s unique connection with the WPA?

3. Describe the different ways in which Bob Ewell is causing trouble for those connected to the case.

4. What does Scout mean when she says, “Thus began our longest journey together?”

Chapter 28

1. According to Scout, in what ways is Jem beginning to resemble Atticus?

2. Why are the children going to school this evening?

3. Explain in detail what happens to the children on their way home from the pageant.

4. What does Mr. Tate find when he responds to Atticus’ call for help?

Chapter 29

1. In what ways does Scout’s costume save her life?

2. What is Boo Radley’s role in the evening’s events?

3. Why is it logical that he would save the children?

Chapter 30

1. What fantasy of Scout’s comes true in Chapter 30?

2. How does Atticus show special consideration for Boo Radley when he chooses to move from Jem’s room to the

front porch?

3. How does Scout show special consideration for Boo Radley?

4. What is Atticus’ first explanation for what occurs this evening?

5. How is Atticus wrong?

6. Why do Mr. Tate and Atticus agree to say that the stabbing is accidental?

7. What is the story they agree to tell?

8. Why is this such a difficult decision for Atticus?

Chapter 31

1. How does Scout show special sensitivity in the way she fulfills Mr. Arthur’s request to say goodnight to Jem?

2. Why does Scout say “I would lead him through our house, but I would never lead him home?”

3. What does she do?

4. What revelation does Scout have standing on the Radley porch?

5. What is the significance of the title of the novel?

Second Summer Reading Book Assignment

1. Identify the setting of the novel. Write a paragraph with a topic sentence, three supports (at least one

quote and page number) that supports your topic sentence. You must also include a concluding sentence.

2. Identify 3-4 main characters throughout the novel. Provide a 3-4 sentence description of each character.

3. Identify 3-4 conflicts that appear throughout the novel. Provide a 3-4 sentence description of each

conflict.

4. Identify the point of view that the story is told. How do you know it is told from this perspective?

5. Identify 1 quote that you found to be powerful. Cite the page number and explain why you thought it

was powerful.

6. Identify 6-7 major plot points and explain their significance in the novel in 2-3 sentences.

7. Identify 3-4 major themes throughout the novel. Provide a 3-4 sentence description of each theme.

8. Write a paragraph that describes your reactions to the novel. Did you like it? Why or why not? Be sure

to include a topic sentence, 3 supports, 2 follow up sentences per support, and a concluding sentence for

a total of 9-12 sentences.